High-sensitive two-dimensional PbI_(2)photodetector with ultrashort channel

Photodetectors based on two-dimensional(2D)semiconductors have attracted many research interests owing to their excellent optoelectronic characteristics and application potential for highly integrated applications.However,the unique morphology of 2D materials also restricts the further improvement of the device performance,as the carrier transport is very susceptible to intrinsic and extrinsic environment of the materials.Here,we report the highest responsivity(172 A/W)achieved so far for a PbI_(2)-based photodetector at room temperature,which is an order of magnitude higher than previously reported.Thermal scanning probe lithography(t-SPL)was used to pattern electrodes to realize the ultrashort channel(~60 nm)in the devices.The shortening of the channel length greatly reduces the probability of the photo-generated carriers being scattered during the transport process,which increases the photocurrent density and thus the responsivity.Our work shows that the combination of emerging processing technologies and 2D materials is an effective route to shrink device size and improve device performance.

Climate change and its effect on reference crop evapotranspiration in central and western Inner Mongolia during 1961-2009

Water resource is one of the major constraints to agricultural production in central and western Inner Mongolia, where are characteristic by arid and semi-arid climate. Reference crop evapotranspiration （ETo） is an important part of water cycle in agricultural ecosystem, which has a direct effect on crop growth and yield. The implications of climate change on ETo are of high importance for agriculture regarding water management and irrigation scheduling. The aim of this study was to analyze the variations in climate and its effect on ETo in central and western Inner Mongolia over the period 1961 to 2009 For this purpose, data in ten meteorological stations across study area were collected and the FAO Penman-Monteith 56 method was used. Results showed that the average temperature, maximum temperature and minimum temperature increased by 0.49~C, 0.31~C and 0.70~C per decade during 1961-2009, respectively. In comparison, the daily temperature range decreased by 0.38~C per decade. The air relative humidity, sunshine hour, and 10-m wind speed decreased generally by 0.58%, 40.11 h, and 0.35 rrds per decade, respectively. Annual mean ETo decreased significantly at a rate of 12.2 mm per decade over the periods, this was mainly due to the decrease in wind speed in the study area. The decrease in wind speed may balance the effect of the increase in air temperature on ETo. Variations in spatial distribution of ETo and its main controlling factor were also detected among ten stations. Our results suggested that spatial and temporal distribution of ETo should be considered regarding the optimization of water resource management for agriculture in central and western Inner Mongolia under foreseen climate change.

HIF-1α promotes SARS-CoV-2 infection and aggravates inflammatory responses to COVID-19

Cytokine storm induced by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)is a major pathological feature of Coronavirus Disease 2019(COVID-19)and a crucial determinant in COVID-19 prognosis.Understanding the mechanism underlying the SARS-CoV-2-induced cytokine storm is critical for COVID-19 control.Here,we identify that SARS-CoV-2 ORF3a and host hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α)play key roles in the virus infection and pro-inflammatory responses.